THE Sailfish 2800 Gamefisher is a purpose-
built offshore fishing vessel that is without doubt
one of the most impressive and complete boats
I've had the pleasure of reviewing.
Sailfish Catamarans has been on the scene for
over 25 years now and has grown a solid
reputation and a loyal following of owners.
Talking to Gavan Daly from Sailfish dealer,
Webbe Marine, a large number of the orders they
now receive are from repeat customers.
Fisho got to review a 2800 Gamefisher that had
been sold and with the owner on board. It was a
great opportunity to discuss the functionality of
the Gamefisher with someone who knows it well.
The owner Rob is a mad keen reef angler from
Brisbane and purchased the Sailfish to chase
snapper and other reefies with his large family and
friends. And I don’t doubt that Rob has a heap of
friends with a boat like this.
Rob previously owned an eight-metre fibreglass
monohull but had a mate who owned the smaller
5.5 metre Sailfish. The two mates did a few trips
up north in the Sailfish and Rob started
comparing it to his bigger, heavier glass boat. Rob
was taken aback by how well the Sailfish handled
the rough stuff, how good the ride was, how quiet
the hull was and how economical it was to run.
The 5.5 performed as well as Robs eight-metre
hull but in a smaller, cheaper and more
economical package.
After being impressed by his mate’s Sailfish,
Rob went looking for a new reef fishing vessel and
just couldn’t go past the Sailfish. Rob told Fisho:
“I changed my mind eight times but just kept
going back to the Sailfish”.
He went on the say that the finish was what
sealed the deal. The welds, paint, f loor and
attention to detail is sealed it but the fishing that
Rob experience in the older 5.5m kept playing on
his mind. With the Gamefisher 2800 being 8.8m
long with a fat 2.8m beam, it’s a lot of boat and a
lot bigger than the 5.5m Sailfish that originally
impressed Rob.
Not only is Rob keen to get out and bottom-
bash the reefs out from Moreton Bay, but he is
looking forward to extended trips away, especially
out from the Queensland town of 1770, which is
one of Rob’s favourite locations. The 2800
Gamefisher has a range of over 600klms which
all ows Rob to be out for days without having to
return to fuel up.
The boat has been fitted out accordingly. It has
plenty of well insulated large eskies and two big
kill tanks that are very well designed with good
drainage and a recessed bung to ensure it can be
thoroughly cleaned out. The sink has been moved
to the transom and a four burner gas stove takes
its place under the cover of the hard-top.
Rob is not new to fishing the reefs and Sailfish
have worked with him to ensure that everything
he wished for has been installed. Even a hand
washing facility at the gunwales where he baits up
has been fitted as well as a hose at the bait board
which is the deck wash, the sink on the transom
and a shower on the walk-through transom.
Staying overnight isn’t a problem with the
large forward V berth cabin with lockable door
and electric toilet. The cabin has roof vents to
circulate some air but can also be easily fitted74 fishingworld.com.au | September 2019
BOAT REVIEW: SAILFISH 2800 GAMEFISHERTHE COMPLETE
PACKAGE
The Sailfish 2800 Gamefisher is a serious offshore boat
perfect for reef fishos with all the creature comforts.
By Mark Ward
with air-conditioning for summer getaways.
From the helm that hull drove like a limousine.
We took it offshore on a spectacular day that
allowed just enough swell to test the hull while
keeping it all comfortable for the old blokes on
board. I had dislocated my knee a couple of days
before the test so was a little concerned that the
strapping wouldn’t be enough. I had very little to
worry about. Even lifting the bow over a swell or
two ended in a very smooth and predictable
landing. The huge captain’s chair with f lip up
bolsters to create a very comfortable leaning post
if you prefer to stand. With a dicky knee and a
very comfortable chair, I treated it like I was
watching the footy in a recliner. The design didn’t
leave your feet dangling either, which is one of my
pet hates. It was fitted with a large foot rest that
was deep enough to brace yourself over a swell.